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Kissing my boss did not count.
* * *
BRAD
The weekend was pretty relaxed, and by Monday morning, I was feeling better. I’d run a lot, cooked a lot, and read a lot. I’d say that’s pretty good. But I missed Camilla, so I was glad to have her dropped off Sunday night at the house. It felt like I was getting back to my normal life after I read Camilla a bedtime story followed by another until she’d fallen asleep in my arms. I gave her a kiss goodnight and slowly crept out of her room and shut the door.
With her in the house with me, I felt more stable and secured. Alone time was all well and good, but I really wanted this father thing to work out right, and I never wanted Camilla to think I didn’t want to see her or wanted to always pawn her off on others.
When I got into work that morning, I was glad I got there early enough that I didn’t have to see anyone.
“Hi, Dan, am I the first one in the office?” I asked, trying to act as though I was making small talk.
“Just a few folks got in early to get started. Mr. Patton, Ms. Williams, and Ms. Darcy.”
“Thanks, Dan.” I nodded at him and went straight to my office and shut the door.
I had to think of ways to stay mostly in my office. I had a few business meetings and some paperwork, so I could spend the day there. But when I went for lunch or went outside during the day, I was still likely to see her, but I hoped she be with someone else, and I wouldn’t have to stop and talk to her.
I sat down at the desk and took a breath. “Forget about that kiss, man,” I whispered under my breath.
For a few hours, I was able to busy myself, and brilliantly, I ordered in, so the food came to me, and I could stay tucked away. Now that I’d gotten rid of the chaff from the employees, I trusted them to get their work done. I would have to check in with them eventually, though, but I hoped it would get easier to see Cassie the more days that passed.
Around two-thirty, there was a knock at the door. My heart jumped, and I sat up straight, adjusting my tied and slicking my hair back, thinking it might be her, come to talk about what happened.
“Come in,” I called, and instead of Cassie on the other side, it was Dan.
“Sorry, Doc. But the nanny and your daughter are here to see you. They wanted me to check with you first about letting them in.”
“Oh, yeah, sure, thanks. Send them in.”
“Will do.” Dan saluted me and shut the door, and I sighed with relief.
I was also the tiniest bit disappointed, but I ignored that. When Camilla came into the room, I stood, and she jumped into my arms. Andrea was at the door, crossing her arms.
“Sorry, Dr. Foster. I tried to tell her you guys didn’t plan us to come in after school, but she wanted to check in with you and see the lab.”
“Not a problem, Andrea!” I smiled at the young nanny.
She was short, brown-haired, and cute and completely reliable. I didn’t know what I’d do without her, especially since Melissa left. She seemed to relax more too after Melissa had gone. The woman was a tyrant, yelling and screaming, wanting everyone to follow her way. I worried people would think it was a cliché me having a young nanny as a single dad, but there was nothing like that between us, and I was grateful. She had a boyfriend, and we’d become like a little family. Camilla doted on her.
“What’s up, honey?” I asked Camilla, and she smiled while sitting in my arms.
“Daddy, I wanted to see if Cassie is busy. Can we see her today?”
For a moment, I wavered. This would be the perfect excuse to see Cassie, and we wouldn’t have to talk about the kiss because Camilla would be there. But I had to keep my promise. No relationships. No nothing. The focus was all on Camilla.
“Sorry, honey, she is busy today. But maybe another day this week? I’ll ask her.”
“Okay, thanks, Daddy.”
She slid down my front, and I reached into my pocket to pull out some money. I passed it into Andrea’s hands.
“Why don’t you girls go get yourself a little snack? I’ll meet you back home in a few hours.”
“Oooh! We never get snacks, do we, Andrea?” Camilla said, reaching for the nanny’s hand.
“I don’t think that’s true, Camilla,” she said, and they both turned and waved at me as they left.
